Sounds like a good title for a book, no?
Anyways, the other day I was at the market and I finally found the soy beans!! Yay protein! But these little guys are no edamame. Nope. I first have to sort through them to check for bad ones and bugs and rocks and whatnot. Then I have to bring some water to boil, and only then am I allowed to throw in the soy beans. Apparently, if soy beans get into contact with cold water before boiling, they produce a bad smell and taste. The beans must gently boil for 45 minutes to deactivate the protein or something, otherwise people are unable to digest/utilize the protein, and then what would be the point of eating soy beans? Oh and get this, after cooking them for 45 min, I just rinse them off, and then I can lay them out in a thin layer to dry out. And after 3 days they are dry, and then I can take them to the mill to may soy flour! I think I am going to be a happy person, now that I have found the soy bean.
Last night I made sweet and sour soybeans. It was quite an effort, and in the end it did not taste much different from my delightful teriyaki/adobo sauce. So next time, I will save time and ingredients and just make teriyaki/adobo soy beans. Regardless of ho much effort they were, they were delicious and I was happy to ingest a bundle of protein.
Seven days until Christmas. and eight days until I go on safari! I am going up north to a city called Natitingou. I have heard great things about this city and how gorgeous it is. So we will just see about that. Either way it will be nice to go on vacay and spend some time with other volunteers that I have not seen in FORever, well since stage ended back in September. It is Dennis’s birthday on Christmas. awww, he’s a Christmas baby. Dennis is a great guy and I am glad that a bunch of us we be gathering for his birthday! It should be a lot of fun.
And then I do not know what plans are in store for New Year’s. I hear that Christmas Eve is the bigger of the two holidays, so I don’t know what is going to go on. Or where I am going to go.
Alright, it is now 10:02 and I wanna bike down to the cyber and get some exercise. I am trying to shed the pounds I gained while stuck in Dakar. I guess one good thing about being away from home I don’t have to worry about those holiday pounds that always get to me. ;)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Quirky.
Definition= An equivocation; a quibble.
equivocation= the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, esp. in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.
quibble= an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
…I had to look it up. took more efffort than i thought it would. i guess the shoe fits, huh. lol.
I was recently told I am quirky. Never really thought about it, but I guess I am. And I don’t care. People here think I am nuts anyways. They are always watching everything I do, and 99% of the time I feel ridiculous, but I have learned to live with it. And it’s almost normal to me now. And I remember back in Dakar, I didn’t get nearly as much attention, which was nice at first. But then oddly enough, I think I started to miss it.
Sorry if I wrote about this already, but I just wanted to put it out there if I hadn’t already.
And one more thing, my typing has finally gotten better. No more finger/chicken pecking the keyboard. I can almost just about type and not look at the board when I type. Wow, I wish I was this good back in school. I think I might have saved myself a lot of time, writing all those papers and all. Ha.
equivocation= the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, esp. in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.
quibble= an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
…I had to look it up. took more efffort than i thought it would. i guess the shoe fits, huh. lol.
I was recently told I am quirky. Never really thought about it, but I guess I am. And I don’t care. People here think I am nuts anyways. They are always watching everything I do, and 99% of the time I feel ridiculous, but I have learned to live with it. And it’s almost normal to me now. And I remember back in Dakar, I didn’t get nearly as much attention, which was nice at first. But then oddly enough, I think I started to miss it.
Sorry if I wrote about this already, but I just wanted to put it out there if I hadn’t already.
And one more thing, my typing has finally gotten better. No more finger/chicken pecking the keyboard. I can almost just about type and not look at the board when I type. Wow, I wish I was this good back in school. I think I might have saved myself a lot of time, writing all those papers and all. Ha.
bah humbug
Well today, Wednesday December 17th…I had one class this afternoon. I taught the kids prepositions of place: in, on, under, next to, behind, etc. and I had the kids pull a desk from outside and I placed some of my favorite kids under, on, behind, in front of, and next to the desk. It was fun and the kids thought it was hilarious. I really love teaching 6eme because first of all they listen to me and respect me. And because the lessons are so much fun! Then after the lesson, we did test corrections, and then I played my guitar for them, and we sang Jingle Bells! And I played We Three Kings on my guitar. But I didn’t play as well as I thought I would, so for tomorrow I am just going to skip it. I am skipping it also because I have the class that I hate in the evening after my other 6eme. And I am really not happy with that class. There is a lot of chatter while I am trying to teach. And they don’t pay attention. There is no respect and it sucks and I come home angry, tired and sad. And I am giving a little speech to the kids tomorrow to see if that changes anything. I am going to tell them that they didn’t do well on the test. And that I hope they did better in their other classes because they didn’t do good on the English test. I will tell them that when I come home after teaching them I am angry, tired and sad. And that it is not good for my health. I will tell them that I really don’t look forward to teaching their class. Sounds mean, huh. And maybe it is, but I gotta do something. And there is just a different way of thinking here. I tried to be a nice guy and tried to appeal to them. But they are not responding to that, so I am going to try the mean route. I don’t even think I have the energy left in me to be nice or pleasant to these monsters.
Hahha. Ok, here’s something funny. I had to go to school this morning (I usually don’t have class weds. Morning) to get a paper signed…basically a permission slip to leave my post for a week while I take a little vacay. So I was leaving and to get home I ride on the main paved road. And my school is just off this goudron. But on a little dirt road. So there was this little girl (probably around 2ish) just dilly-dallying around. And then she looks up and sees me in workout/bicycle gear. She doesn’t cry or anything. But she gets a kinda panicked look on her face as if the boogeyman is going to snatch her up and carry her away on the big blue mountain bike. And she runs across my path..i am definitely not going very fast cause A the road is bumpy and B I don’t wanna run the kids over…and she full on books it into a consession/yard/gated house thing, and doesn’t look back. And just beyond her, I can see an older woman laughing out loud at the sight, and I laugh with her. Oh good times.
My life is a roller coaster.
Hahha. Ok, here’s something funny. I had to go to school this morning (I usually don’t have class weds. Morning) to get a paper signed…basically a permission slip to leave my post for a week while I take a little vacay. So I was leaving and to get home I ride on the main paved road. And my school is just off this goudron. But on a little dirt road. So there was this little girl (probably around 2ish) just dilly-dallying around. And then she looks up and sees me in workout/bicycle gear. She doesn’t cry or anything. But she gets a kinda panicked look on her face as if the boogeyman is going to snatch her up and carry her away on the big blue mountain bike. And she runs across my path..i am definitely not going very fast cause A the road is bumpy and B I don’t wanna run the kids over…and she full on books it into a consession/yard/gated house thing, and doesn’t look back. And just beyond her, I can see an older woman laughing out loud at the sight, and I laugh with her. Oh good times.
My life is a roller coaster.
Friday, December 12, 2008
my students
...are better than the rest of the school. well, before this week i thought that my students were little ****s! i thought they were rude, and talked too much, and thought they didn't have much respect for me. but then i had to proctor tests for other classes/grades, and i have a new found love/respect for my classes. it's hard to explain i guess.
oh, and i was talking to my little buddy, Angelo, and we were chatting in the teacher's pyote (i have no idea how to spell that). and then my students finished taking their English test and came up to chat with me too. and Angelo noted how they move in big groups. and i realized he was right. anytime my students come up to talk to me they move in clusters. i told Angelo that my kids are like sheep. and we both had a good laugh about that.
i also gave Angelo a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird. that is what he would read if he were in the states cause he's in the equivalent of 9th grade. and he also asked me if i had any books that he could borrow. so i hope he likes it and is able to understand it.
and tomorrow morning, i am going to attempt to wake up early and go to the orphanage and play volleyball with the kids and some of my students! i am looking forward to it! should be fun.
oh, and i was talking to my little buddy, Angelo, and we were chatting in the teacher's pyote (i have no idea how to spell that). and then my students finished taking their English test and came up to chat with me too. and Angelo noted how they move in big groups. and i realized he was right. anytime my students come up to talk to me they move in clusters. i told Angelo that my kids are like sheep. and we both had a good laugh about that.
i also gave Angelo a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird. that is what he would read if he were in the states cause he's in the equivalent of 9th grade. and he also asked me if i had any books that he could borrow. so i hope he likes it and is able to understand it.
and tomorrow morning, i am going to attempt to wake up early and go to the orphanage and play volleyball with the kids and some of my students! i am looking forward to it! should be fun.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
salut
My new puppy resembles Poco a lot. Except he’s got a white tipped tail and his face isn’t all white yet. I don’t know what to choose for his name: Barkley, Elvis, Noel, Marley…I think I like Marley the best.
Ok, moving on. Tonight I went with my friend to visit his “cousin.” I use that term lightly here because I am never quite sure if people are related because they throw around the terms big brother, big sister, cousin, etc VERY loosely. So anyways, there was a little baby there who is 13 months old. And not long after we got there I reached out my arms to hold him and he started screaming and crying! Then from that point on, for the rest of the evening just looking at me brought him to tears. This whole situation is not at all too uncommon for me. And it kinda sucks. It makes me kinda sad. I don’t think I am scary…These babies are racist! (naw, jk.) However, I feel like they are (a little bit) because a while ago I was in a crowded taxi (duh) and there are 3 of us ladies sitting in the back seat when a fourth piles in. and the lady had two little ones with her. And she hands one of the babies over to one of the ladies and the baby didn’t squawk one peep.
Normally, I find this whole thing (babies crying upon having one look at me, especially if I am too close to them) quite funny because eventually the kid realizes that I am not quite a creep/scary. But for some reason tonight I got a little sad when after being there for a good hour and a half or so, the baby still screamed and cried just glancing at me. It got me to thinking about lil’ Trevor (and Caden, Cole and Taryn…I miss you!) and how he knew me. It’s interesting how babies can di discern differences between people. They are so little and smart!
I love x-mas music! Without my x-mas music and the few decorations I have put up, I wouldn’t think twice about it being nearly two weeks from Christmas! omg. Is anyone else weirded out by how fast time is going by?
I am currently reading The Secret Life of Bees. So far it’s pretty good. I heard that it’s a movie now…or soon to be. When does the movie theater open up at Northgate? How does Northgate look nowadays? How about the northern part of Aurora Ave. in Shoreline?—Have they been continuing on making the whole thing look nice?
Oh, it’s hot. And how I hate mosquito bites. And I am nervous about proctoring the tests this week! Yet I can’t wait to see which classes and grade levels I will be supervising. And I am interested to see if my tutoring Angelo and his friends made a positive impact on their English exam…
Ok, moving on. Tonight I went with my friend to visit his “cousin.” I use that term lightly here because I am never quite sure if people are related because they throw around the terms big brother, big sister, cousin, etc VERY loosely. So anyways, there was a little baby there who is 13 months old. And not long after we got there I reached out my arms to hold him and he started screaming and crying! Then from that point on, for the rest of the evening just looking at me brought him to tears. This whole situation is not at all too uncommon for me. And it kinda sucks. It makes me kinda sad. I don’t think I am scary…These babies are racist! (naw, jk.) However, I feel like they are (a little bit) because a while ago I was in a crowded taxi (duh) and there are 3 of us ladies sitting in the back seat when a fourth piles in. and the lady had two little ones with her. And she hands one of the babies over to one of the ladies and the baby didn’t squawk one peep.
Normally, I find this whole thing (babies crying upon having one look at me, especially if I am too close to them) quite funny because eventually the kid realizes that I am not quite a creep/scary. But for some reason tonight I got a little sad when after being there for a good hour and a half or so, the baby still screamed and cried just glancing at me. It got me to thinking about lil’ Trevor (and Caden, Cole and Taryn…I miss you!) and how he knew me. It’s interesting how babies can di discern differences between people. They are so little and smart!
I love x-mas music! Without my x-mas music and the few decorations I have put up, I wouldn’t think twice about it being nearly two weeks from Christmas! omg. Is anyone else weirded out by how fast time is going by?
I am currently reading The Secret Life of Bees. So far it’s pretty good. I heard that it’s a movie now…or soon to be. When does the movie theater open up at Northgate? How does Northgate look nowadays? How about the northern part of Aurora Ave. in Shoreline?—Have they been continuing on making the whole thing look nice?
Oh, it’s hot. And how I hate mosquito bites. And I am nervous about proctoring the tests this week! Yet I can’t wait to see which classes and grade levels I will be supervising. And I am interested to see if my tutoring Angelo and his friends made a positive impact on their English exam…
Monday, December 8, 2008
another good day!
The other day after leaving the cyber, Angelina and I went to visit the orphanage and take the dog for a walk (I am babysitting my old puppy…and going to the market later today to get a new puppy because I miss having a dog around and I was just too stressed out before, and now that I am settled I can handle having another being around the house.)
At first I left Dique***dEEk*** (that’s the dog’s new given name) tied up to some tree just outside the orphanage. The kids playing outside that I could bring him right in, but I wanted to ask the maman first because I was sure that the kids would be terrified of him. Kids and people in general here have this enormous fear of dogs. Even if they are little puppies. It’s actually kinda funny to see grown-ups act all scared of these little mutts.
Back to the orphanage…so I asked the maman if Dique could come inside and she said yes. Then all the kids came up to us and saluted us in a little sing-song kinda way. Then they ran off and stood around in a circle and started playing games and singing…I thought it looked a little staged. And I am sure that they do this little activity with all who visit. But it was cute. And then the kids called us over to partake in their games. And that was the real fun part. We played a bunch of games…most of them I had no idea what we were doing, but there were a couple that were in French and were very similar to games played in the states, such as the “hokey pokey”…instead they sing the “boogie boogie boogie…” hahaha, it was great. And then another game where the person who is it goes off and doesn’t look, while the rest of the group chooses someone to be the leader and the rest of the group has to copy their moves while the person who is it has to look around the group and figure out who the leader is. Then around 6:15ish the bugs started eating up my legs, so I decided it was probably time to leave. And although I think that they probably they do their cutesy little games with everyone, I really had a good time. And I feel like it was a very authentic “Peace Corps Moment.”
And yesterday I spent the day doing housework. I did a little laundry, organized a lot of my papers…oh how I hate loose papers! I bought some folders in which to organize and file them. and now I feel much better that they are in their proper place. A swept the floor a couple of times to try and get rid of all the dust. But every time I sweep the floor, it’s like the previous sweeping had never occurred! I also hung up the cloth painting thing I bought in Dakar, on the bare wall in my room. And then I put up the Christmas decorations that mom sent me. And it actually looks a little festive inside my house. Oh, and all the while I listened to christams music off my computer (cause the ipod died) and speakers. Christmas decorations and music are the only hints around here that tell me that Christmas is right around the corner.
Alright, I am signing off for today because I gotta get down to the market to buy a kilo of rice, maybe some fruit, and a puppy. :)
At first I left Dique***dEEk*** (that’s the dog’s new given name) tied up to some tree just outside the orphanage. The kids playing outside that I could bring him right in, but I wanted to ask the maman first because I was sure that the kids would be terrified of him. Kids and people in general here have this enormous fear of dogs. Even if they are little puppies. It’s actually kinda funny to see grown-ups act all scared of these little mutts.
Back to the orphanage…so I asked the maman if Dique could come inside and she said yes. Then all the kids came up to us and saluted us in a little sing-song kinda way. Then they ran off and stood around in a circle and started playing games and singing…I thought it looked a little staged. And I am sure that they do this little activity with all who visit. But it was cute. And then the kids called us over to partake in their games. And that was the real fun part. We played a bunch of games…most of them I had no idea what we were doing, but there were a couple that were in French and were very similar to games played in the states, such as the “hokey pokey”…instead they sing the “boogie boogie boogie…” hahaha, it was great. And then another game where the person who is it goes off and doesn’t look, while the rest of the group chooses someone to be the leader and the rest of the group has to copy their moves while the person who is it has to look around the group and figure out who the leader is. Then around 6:15ish the bugs started eating up my legs, so I decided it was probably time to leave. And although I think that they probably they do their cutesy little games with everyone, I really had a good time. And I feel like it was a very authentic “Peace Corps Moment.”
And yesterday I spent the day doing housework. I did a little laundry, organized a lot of my papers…oh how I hate loose papers! I bought some folders in which to organize and file them. and now I feel much better that they are in their proper place. A swept the floor a couple of times to try and get rid of all the dust. But every time I sweep the floor, it’s like the previous sweeping had never occurred! I also hung up the cloth painting thing I bought in Dakar, on the bare wall in my room. And then I put up the Christmas decorations that mom sent me. And it actually looks a little festive inside my house. Oh, and all the while I listened to christams music off my computer (cause the ipod died) and speakers. Christmas decorations and music are the only hints around here that tell me that Christmas is right around the corner.
Alright, I am signing off for today because I gotta get down to the market to buy a kilo of rice, maybe some fruit, and a puppy. :)
Saturday, December 6, 2008
other benin blogs
check out my friends' blogs! i only have two linked on the side here, but if you go to their pages you will inevitably find liknks to other Benin PCV blogs. other people have been posting pictures that i may not have had the opportunity to capture.
so...do that and enjoy!
and...19 days till x-mas. wow. i honestly cannot believe that!
has it snowed at home yet? how cold is it? i sweat everyday. i miss being cold. did you ever think you would hear someone say that? i sure's hadies didn't.
ps. i am going to see real live hippos in a couple weeks! apparently this live in a lake in the neighboring town! i hope i don't get eaten. lol, actually that's probably not too funny, huh.
pps. i would say i have been having a really good day. and i am so happy and excited to be here. :)
so...do that and enjoy!
and...19 days till x-mas. wow. i honestly cannot believe that!
has it snowed at home yet? how cold is it? i sweat everyday. i miss being cold. did you ever think you would hear someone say that? i sure's hadies didn't.
ps. i am going to see real live hippos in a couple weeks! apparently this live in a lake in the neighboring town! i hope i don't get eaten. lol, actually that's probably not too funny, huh.
pps. i would say i have been having a really good day. and i am so happy and excited to be here. :)
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